Ensuring Outdoor Accessibility: Snow-Clearing Solutions
By: Garrett Crump | February 6, 2024 | Included by Design
As winter continues to blanket our streets and sidewalks with snow, ensuring outdoor accessibility becomes a critical challenge. Snowy and icy conditions can significantly hinder mobility, particularly for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and even parents with strollers. At Included by Design, we (primarily our founder Sean Crump who’s interview can be found here) understand the importance and difficulty around maintaining outdoor environments year-round. Here, we delve into practical solutions for snow removal and winter maintenance to ensure safe and accessible paths of travel during our winter months.
Understanding the Challenge
For many, winter means picturesque snowfall and festive ambience. However, for people with mobility challenges, it often translates into treacherous paths and inaccessible public spaces. Snow and ice can obstruct wheelchair access, make surfaces slippery, and increase the risk of falls and injuries. This not only limits the ability of individuals to navigate public spaces but also isolates them, impeding their right to participate in community and work life.
Effective Strategies
1. Prompt and Frequent Snow Removal: Regular monitoring and immediate clearing of snow from sidewalks and paths are crucial. This includes ensuring snow removal services are prompt after a snowfall and consistently maintained throughout the day, especially during continuous snowfall.
2. Use of Safe and Effective Deicing Agents: Applying deicing agents can reduce the risk of ice formation. However, it’s preferential to use eco-friendly and non-corrosive products that won’t damage the surfaces or pose health risks to pets and the environment.
3. Creating a Snow Removal Plan: Cities and property owners should have a detailed snow removal plan, prioritizing high-traffic areas and routes commonly used by people with disabilities, such as ramps, accessible parking spots, and pedestrian crossings. Prioritizing these accessible pathways ensures universal access, as cleared ramps, unlike stairs, can be utilized by everyone, enhancing mobility and safety for all community members.
4. Utilizing the Right Equipment: Investing in the right snow-clearing equipment that can effectively remove snow without damaging the underlying surface is vital. This includes using smaller tools for tight and hard-to-reach areas.
Innovative Design Solutions:
1. Heated Pathways: Implementing heated sidewalks and ramps can be an effective (although costly) long-term solution. Though the initial investment is significant, heated paths greatly reduce the labor and costs associated with traditional snow removal.
2. Textured Surfaces for Traction: Designing walkways with textured surfaces can improve traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls. This can b particularly beneficial in areas prone to icy conditions.
3. Adequate Drainage Systems: Ensuring proper drainage can prevent water accumulation and ice formation on walkways. This includes maintaining gutters and storm drains to avoid water overflow and icing on paths.
4. Covered Walkways and Transit Stops: Building covered areas along frequently used paths and at transit stops can provide shelter from snowfall and reduce the amount of snow accumulation on these paths.
5. Community Engagement and Reporting Systems: Encouraging community members to report uncleared snow or hazardous conditions can help in quick response and maintenance. Cities can set up hotlines or digital platforms for efficient reporting and tracking.
Accessibility Beyond Snow Removal:
1. Clear Signage and Visibility: Ensuring that all signage is visible and not obscured by snow is crucial. This includes keeping signs, wayfinding, and hazard indicators clear of snow and ice.
2. Accessibility Audits: Conducting accessibility audits of outdoor spaces in winter can identify hazards and areas for improvement (Included by Design’s expertise may be of value here).
3. Training and Awareness: Training snow removal crews on the importance of accessibility and the specific needs of individuals with disabilities can lead to more conscientious and effective clearing practices.
Winter should not be a season of isolation and inaccessibility for anyone. By adopting effective snow-clearing strategies, utilizing innovative design solutions, and maintaining a commitment to accessibility, we can ensure that our outdoor spaces remain safe, navigable, and inclusive, even in the snowiest months. Communiities can transform their approach to winter maintenance, fostering a truly inclusive environment for all, regardless of the season.
At Included by Design, we are committed to promoting year-round accessibility. We offer consultation services to help cities, businesses, and communities develop comprehensive accessibility solutions. Our team can conduct audits, provide recommendations, and assist in implementation of effective accessibility solutions for any project.
To learn more about Included by Design’s process please click HERE and feel free to contact us to learn more.
